first major league All-Star selection for Uehara, 39, who was an All-Star for the Yomiuri Giants of NipponProfessionalBaseball eight times (1999-2005, 2007). The Red Sox’ closer is 4-2 with 18 saves this season. He owns

Lou's former teammate, Kaz Tadano, threw an absolutely amazing eephus pitch for the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan. More amazingly, the umpire called it a ball. Nonetheless, the guys got to talking about the mysterious pitch and it's origin.

boost the B's offensively. Think of this as the hockey equivalent of an MLB team adding a player from NipponProfessionalBaseball . It's a different league, but maybe it will pay off. Here are some quick facts on Soderberg: Age

true not just of American Major League Baseball teams, but also, to a degree, of teams in Japan’s NipponProfessionalBaseball League. After all, had the slight right-hander been a known commodity, he likely never would have ended

six years and $52 million, was not a free agent when acquired through the posting process from Japan's NipponProfessionalBaseball League.) Even so, the cost for Lackey is less steep than would have been the acquisition of a pitcher

touched 100 mph in an exhibition game on Thursday. Such triple-digit readings are nearly unheard of in the NipponProfessionalBaseball (NPB) League. Velocity is a less central element of pitching in the Japanese major leagues. Instead

between Japan and the United States. While there has been a steady influx of established players from the NipponProfessionalBaseball (NPB) League to Major League Baseball, the idea of a Japanese player heading to the U.S. without NPB

first major league All-Star selection for Uehara, 39, who was an All-Star for the Yomiuri Giants of NipponProfessionalBaseball eight times (1999-2005, 2007). The Red Sox’ closer is 4-2 with 18 saves this season. He owns

be his first selection during his time in America. Uehara was an eight time All-Star selection in the NipponProfessionalBaseball league in Japan. In 18 starts so far in 2014, Lester has posted a 2.73 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, .242 opponent

be his first selection during his time in America. Uehara was an eight time All-Star selection in the NipponProfessionalBaseball league in Japan. In 18 starts so far in 2014, Lester has posted a 2.73 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, .242 opponent

steal a home run from Phillies slugger Ryan Howard ... and then throws out a baserunner at home in the next inning. In a Japanesebaseball game, Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters pitcher Kazuhito Tadano throws an eephus pitch but doesn’t get the call even

28 games with the Yankees . He would sign a one-year contract with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of NipponProfessionalBaseball this winter. He is back in the States after just 21 games in Japan, hitting .215 with one homer and